Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Homework- New Translation i-phone app

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.

Click HERE to answer the questions.

Story:
California (12/17/2010) - A new app from a company named Questvisual translates words from one language into another language using the iphone's video camera. The new app is called Word Lens.

If there is a sign or any text in Spanish and you want to turn it into English then just turn on the app and point your phone camera at it. The app will make the words appear in English on your screen.

The app cost $4.99 on the itunes app store. It only works with the iphone 4, the 3GS or an ipod touch with video.

Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What is the new app called?
4. What does the new app do?
5. How much does it cost?
6. What devices does it work with?


Info from ABC new and afcea.org

Monday, December 20, 2010

Homework - Don't Ask Dont Tell is gone in the Military

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions. 


Click HERE to watch the video. 


Washington, D.C. ( 12/18/2010) - Don't Ask Dont Tell is a policy that says if you are gay, you can only serve in the military as long as you don't tell anyone in the military that you are gay. If you say that you are gay, you will be kicked out. 


On Saturday, the Senate voted to make this law disappear from the military. The vote was 63 for and 31 against. As long as the President signs the bill, then gay people will be able to serve in the military without the fear that they are going to get kicked out if someone finds out. 


President Obama has already announced that he will sign the bill when it comes to his desk.


Some people, like Senator McCain, say that letting gay people serve openly in the military will make the military weaker. Other people say that if you are willing to die for your country then you should not have to hide who you are.


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What does Don't Ask Dont Tell say?
4. What was the vote on Saturday?
5. What does Senator McCain say about gay people in the military?
6. What do you think about the issue? Should gay people be able to serve in the military or not? Explain your answer.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Homework - Player Attacks Ref!

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida (12/15/2010)  -- A high school basketball player could face criminal charges after throwing a referee to the ground.


The incident happened during a game between Florida's Port Charlotte and DeSoto high schools.


"This is very disappointing. It's unacceptable," said DeSoto school superintendent Adrian Cline. "I've been a superintendent for a number of years and a principal for years before that and this is the first time I've been confronted with a student attacking an official."


In video posted on YouTube it appears DeSoto player Mason Holland got mad after a call.


Things escalated and the referee ejected him from the game. That's when Holland charged the referee, slamming him to the court.


"It reflects in a negative way - on the school, the school district, the country and that's why we take it extremely seriously," Cline said.


School board officials said Holland has been suspended from school and he could face criminal charges.


The Florida High School Athletic Association say they plan on administering their own punishment. The FHSAA says they can't say what their punishment for Holland will be because they're still investigating.


Cline said this student's athletic future is uncertain.


"The school district has always displayed good sportsmanship and we were very disappointed and intend to take appropriate action," he said.


Cline has spoken with the State Attorney's Office and will find out in the coming days if Holland could face criminal charges.




Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What is the name of the player that attacked the referee?
4. Why did he attack the referee?
5. Why is the player going to face criminal charges?
6. Do you think the player will be on the team in the future? Why or why not?


Info from the Today Show and firstcoastnews.com

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Homework - Pitcher turns down millions from the Yankees

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story:
New York City (12/14/2010) - Cliff Lee has decided to leave the Texas Rangers for the Philadelphia Phillies.


The  pitcher is returning to the Phillies after reaching a five-year, $100 million deal.


By going with the Phillies, Lee passed up the $150 million offered by the the Yankees.


Lee helped bring the Phillies to the 2009 World Series against the Yankees, but was traded in the offseason to Seattle.


The pitcher was again traded during the season to Texas, where he helped get the Rangers to this year's World Series.


1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What team is Cliff Lee leaving?
4. What team is he joining?
5. Which team did he turn down?
6. How much are the Phillies going to pay him?
7. How much did the Yankees offer him?
8. Why do you think Cliff Lee went with the team that pays less money than the Yankees?


Info from NY1

Monday, December 13, 2010

Homework- Stay off the ice.

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions. 


Click HERE to watch the video. 
Story:
New York City (12/11/10) - If you want to go skating this winter, stick to a rink.


That's the word from city parks officials who are telling New Yorkers to stay away from frozen lakes and ponds at the start of the winter season.


The Parks Department says that just because a lake or pond looks frozen, that doesn't mean it is.


Ice must be at least six inches thick before it can take the weight of a person. For that to happen, the temperature needs to be well below freezing for weeks.


"We have a very urgent message to New Yorkers which is very simply this: Stay off the ice. We know right now it's definitely not thick enough to go on and you place yourself in grave danger. You could die."


The Parks Department also urges residents to never leave children or pets by themselves near a lake or pond.


If you find yourself on ice and hear cracking, lie down to try to spread out  your weight.


And if you see someone falling through ice, don't attempt a rescue. Instead call 911 immediately.


Ice skating rinks are open throughout the city as a safe alternative.


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. Why did the Parks Department tell people to stay off the ponds and lakes?
4. How many inches think does the ice have to be in order to be safe?
5. What should you do if you are on the ice and you hear it cracking up?
6. If you see someone falling in, what number should you call?


Info from NY1

Friday, December 10, 2010

Homework - Teacher Miscarries after breaking up a fight

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story: 
The Bronx (12/9/10) - A Bronx teacher is recovering after a tragedy caused her to lose her unborn child.
Two students from the Herman Ridder Junior High School were fighting in the hallway Wednesday morning when the teacher tried to break it up.


During the scuffle she was accidently kicked in the stomach.


The teacher, who was four months pregnant, was taken to the hospital with severe pain.


She later had a miscarriage. A miscarriage is when a pregnant lady loses the fetus she was carrying.


Officials say she is refusing to press charges against the students.


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. In which high school did this incident take place?
4. Why was the teacher taken to the hospital?
5. How many months pregnant was the teacher?
6. Why do you think the teacher is refusing to press charges?


Info from NY1

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Homework - Rec center prices are going to increase

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story:
The Bronx (12/8/2010) - The Parks Department's 32 recreation centers are almost like hidden gems. Many adults don't know about them and those who do really appreciate the work out space.


But some people may be leaving if a proposal goes through to raise the fees for adults who use the recreation centers. Right now, they pay $50 a year, $75 a year at sites that have a pool. In an effort to help close the budget gap, the Parks Department is thinking about doubling the fee to $100 or $150 next year.


Some members who are trying to stay in shape at St. Mary's Center in Mott Haven say no way to the increase in money. St. Mary's center has a full gym and is located in the park right across the street. It has a pool, a gym and 2 indoor basketball courts. It is open from 9am to 9pm.


"I think the city can find other ways to find money to close their budget," said one recreation center user.


"One-fifty? No, I don't think so. No good for me or many people," said another.


Over at the Hunts Point Recreation Center, others felt the same way. The Hunt’s Point Recreation Center is located at 765 Manida Street.


"The cost of living in New York City is very high. So to charge a hundred dollars for people especially who are low income or working poor is very very difficult," said one recreation center user.


If the increases do go through, for those who cannot afford a full year membership, they can join for six months.


The proposal calls for seniors to see an increase from $10 a year now, up to $25 next year.


The facilities will remain free for kids under 17.


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. How many recreation centers are in NYC?
4. How much do people pay for a year membership right now?
5. How much will they have to pay next year?
6. If you are under 17, how much do you have to pay?
7. Where is the closest recreation center to here? What are the hours? 


Info from NY1
8. 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Homework - Jeter will be a Yankee for at least 3 more years!

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story:
The Bronx (12/5/2010) - New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter has reached an agreement with the team on a three-year deal worth $51 million.




The deal would be a slight pay cut for the Yankee captain, who is coming off his worst year at the plate with a .270 average and just 10 home runs.


Despite his decline last year, Yankees fans who spoke with NY1 this weekend said they are happy to have Jeter back.


"I'm really glad that they agreed on a deal because I think he's a major, key player for the Yankees. He's a really good captain so I was really hoping actually that they'd sign him again," said one Yankees fan.


"I think Jeter needs to stay with the Yankees. I couldn't really picture him with any other baseball team," said another.


"I thought he would resign, hoping he'd resign and I can't see him as anything other than a Yankee," said a third.


Jeter, 36, has spent his entire career with the Yankees, and won five World Series with the team.


He is on pace to reach his 3,000th hit next season -- a milestone no Yankee has ever reached while in pinstripes.


Questions:
1. Where did the story take place?
2. When did the story take place?
3. How much money is JEter going to be paid over the three years?
4. How many home runs did Jeter make last year?
5. How old is Jeter?
6. How many World Series has he won with the team?
7. Do you think that Jeter should retire? Why or why not?


Info from NY1

Friday, December 3, 2010

Homework - Students fight in Long Island

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video of the fight. Scroll down to the bottom of the video page and click on "LI Fight"


Story:
Long Island (12/3/2010) - Two students were recorded while they were fighting after school. Other students stood around and recorded the fight on their cell phones. After a couple of minutes, a staff member came out of a side door and broke up the fight. 


One of the teens who recorded the fight posted the video on youtube for everyone to see. The Principal saw the video and suspended the two boys. She is also going to suspend the crowd of teens that were watching the fight. The Principal was very angry and said that this kind of behavior is not what her school is about. 


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. How many students were suspended?
4. Why were they suspended?
5. How was the principal able to see the fight?
6. Do you think that the teens who recorded the fight should be suspended too? Why or why not?


info from Pix11 news.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Homework - Coat Drive Begins!

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to read the story.


Story:
New York City (12/1/2010) - The 22nd annual New York Cares Coat Drive was started on Wednesday.


To help kick off the program, ex-NBA stars Dikembe Mutombo and Bob Lanier gave coats to residents of the Bowery Mission.


Now until the end of December, New Yorkers can donate new or gently used adult and children's coats at hundreds of locations within the five boroughs. These locations include all police precincts, Penn Station, and the Port Authority.


"We're launching the New York Cares coat drive and we're asking all New Yorkers to go to their closets and give a coat to someone who needs it this holiday season," said New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley.


"It's nice and warm, I'll be warm for the winter," said one coat recipient.


New York Cares collects more than 70,000 coats each year and distributes them to homeless shelters, agencies serving senior citizens, and community support organizations throughout the city.


1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What two ex-NBA stars were giving coats at the Bowery?
4. At what locations can people drop off coats for the homeless people?
5. How many coats does New York Cares collect every year?


Info from NY1

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Homework - Principal removed after student drowns

Read the story. Watch the video. Answer the questions.


Click HERE to watch the video.


Story:
Harlem (11/30/2010) - The Department of Education has removed the principal from the Harlem school that had one of its students drown during a school trip to the beach.


Jose Maldonado-Rivera is now no longer the principal of Columbia Secondary School.


He was put on probation and lost his tenure rights after 12-year-old Nicole Suriel died while swimming in Long Beach in June. 


The girl and her classmates were allowed in the water, even though lifeguards were not on duty.


Some parents and students told NY1 Tuesday that they will defend the principal.


"Mr. Maldonado was an exceptional individual, very unique, and he had a clear vision," said a parent. "Whatever the problem was, or whatever the finding was by the DOE I think that all in all he did a good job."


Maldonado-Rivera said the penalty he is facing is excessive and unfair to the school and its students.


Questions:
1. Where did this story take place?
2. When did this story take place?
3. What is the name of the principal that lost his job?
4. Why did he lose his job?
5. What was the name of the girl that died?
6. What is the name of the school that he was fired from?
7. Do you think the principal should be fired? Why or why not?


Info from NY1